Arwen's meanderings

Hi everyone and welcome to my dinghy cruising blog about my John Welsford designed 'navigator' named Arwen. Built over three years, Arwen was launched in August 2007. She is a standing lug yawl 14' 6" in length. This blog records our dinghy cruising voyages together around the coastal waters of SW England.
Arwen has an associated YouTube channel so visit www.YouTube.com/c/plymouthwelshboy to find our most recent cruises and click subscribe.
On this blog you will find posts about dinghy cruising locations, accounts of our voyages, maintenance tips and 'How to's' ranging from rigging standing lug sails and building galley boxes to using 'anchor buddies' and creating 'pilotage notes'. I hope you find something that inspires you to get out on the water in your boat. Drop us a comment and happy sailing.
Steve and Arwen

Sunday 30 November 2014

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John has been updating his blog. Glad to see someone is having fun with a navigator. Poor Arwen and I have yet to make it onto the water so ar this winter.

Well done John!

Sunday 23 November 2014

bits and bobs

catching up with a few posts.......Number one son and I found ourselves in Portsmouth on a whistle stop detour during half term. Came as a surprise, not planned but we managed to get a fair bit done; and we have a ticket for a year which allows us to go back and see what we didn't see this time round.

The weather this weekend was a surprise as well - the rain didn't turn up as forecast - irritating because I could have sailed! Still a lovely stroll around the Hoe and Barbican. At this time of year it is still surprisingly warm; leaves are turning now but still clinging to trees - you would think it September, not end of November! Seasons down here are definitely weird!

That would strike fear into you  if you were in a smaller ship!!

The Flag ship 'Victory'

Um! Dodgy geezer or one of our best monarchs?

The Mary Rose


What's on view in the gallery


replica of the Mary Rose's kitchen


restored parrel beads for the main mast

Brings a lump to my throat
 
 
 
And then this morning around the Barbican.........
 
the first water taxi of the morning

the pilot boats all tied up at the pontoon


the cannons facing towards Jennycliffe under a watery sun
During the English civil war the opposing armies faced each other over the cattedown


returning home with the morning's catch



remember me posting about the January storms in 2013 and the huge waves and 90 mph winds?
well the damage is still being repaired!


her in-door's and I were trying to work out what the large flat area is/was! some research needed!

and a little bonus.....a buzzard sunning itself on the fence over at Millbay docks

 

Saturday 22 November 2014

Where does time go?

When was I last in Arwen? When did I last post a blog? Where has time gone?
It's back to that 6.30am at my desk; leaving school 5.00pm and then doing three hours in the evening. Every year I say the new term will get better...........

My resolution to do more winter sailing doesn't seem to be coming to fruition.....yet. Maybe in the next few weekends..........